Patents by Inventor Steve Balls

Steve Balls has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230234592
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for optimizing operation of a fleet of electric vehicles. In some embodiments, a fleet management platform may maintain, in relation to a plurality of drivers, driving behavior patterns determined to be associated with the each of the plurality of drivers. Upon receiving a request for optimization of at least one operation related to a fleet of electric vehicles, such techniques may comprise determining one or more factors associated with the optimization of the at least one operation, identifying a set of driving behavior patterns correlated to the one or more factors, and customizing the at least one operation based on the identified set of behavior patterns and the driving behavior patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Michael MASQUELIER, Steve BALL, Arash RASTEH
  • Publication number: 20230007004
    Abstract: An account provisioning manager is disclosed. A placeholder account is generated with a primary work set attribute and a plurality of enhanced work set attributes. Initially, the primary work set attribute is populated with data to convert the placeholder account into an onboarded operating account. Subsequently, the plurality of enhanced work set attributes are populated via data propagation into the onboarded operating account, wherein an enhanced work set attribute of the plurality of enhanced work set attributes is selectively populated in response to a trigger for the onboarded operating account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Ball, Justin Anthony Niles, Muhammad Omer Iqbal, Sadie Elise Henry, Sangeeta Ranjit, Sarat Chandra Subramaniam, Michael Vincent McLaughlin, Rachel Anne Brown Teller
  • Patent number: 11271873
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of operating a service provider network node in a service provider network, comprising: establishing an interface between a control plane processing part and a data plane processing part for routing of control packets at the data plane processing part; at the control plane processing part, generating a control packet for routing through the service provider network; and at the control plane processing part, sending the control packet to the data plane processing part via the interface, to cause the data plane processing part to route the control packet through the service provider network using the one or more routing tables maintained by the data plane processing part in response to receiving the control packet from the control plane processing part via the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Metaswitch Networks Ltd
    Inventors: Alan Elder, Jon Harrison, Steve Balls
  • Patent number: 10978914
    Abstract: A vault apparatus for wireless power transfer includes a vault comprising an opening for a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad. The opening is located on a top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a junction box formed into the vault. The junction box includes an opening oriented toward the top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a sealing ring that maintains a WPT pad fixed in the vault where a portion of the sealing ring covers the junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Ryan Calder, Evans Griego, Steve Ball, Marcellus Harper
  • Publication number: 20200412667
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of operating a service provider network node in a service provider network, comprising: establishing an interface between a control plane processing part and a data plane processing part for routing of control packets at the data plane processing part; at the control plane processing part, generating a control packet for routing through the service provider network; and at the control plane processing part, sending the control packet to the data plane processing part via the interface, to cause the data plane processing part to route the control packet through the service provider network using the one or more routing tables maintained by the data plane processing part in response to receiving the control packet from the control plane processing part via the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Alan ELDER, Jon HARRISON, Steve BALLS
  • Publication number: 20190252922
    Abstract: A vault apparatus for wireless power transfer includes a vault comprising an opening for a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad. The opening is located on a top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a junction box formed into the vault. The junction box includes an opening oriented toward the top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a sealing ring that maintains a WPT pad fixed in the vault where a portion of the sealing ring covers the junction box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, RYAN CALDER, EVANS GRIEGO, STEVE BALL, MARCELLUS HARPER
  • Patent number: 10284028
    Abstract: An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (WPT) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the WPT primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the WPT primary pad or WPT secondary pad in response to determining that the WPT secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the WPT primary pad and the WPT secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the WPT primary pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Steve Ball, Marcellus Harper, Michael Masquelier, Hunter Wu
  • Patent number: 10165090
    Abstract: Measures for transferring routing protocol information between a software defined network and one or more external networks are provided. A control node in a software defined network (SDN) is configured to maintain a protocol information database comprising routing protocol information for one or more switching nodes in the SDN. In response to detecting occurrence of a predetermined trigger event, the control node modifies the routing protocol information in the protocol information database, and determines whether the one or more switching nodes include an edge switching node. In response to the determination, a routing protocol message is transmitted from the control node to the edge switching node for forwarding via an external network interface. The routing protocol message includes data generated on the basis of the modified routing protocol information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Metaswitch Networks Ltd.
    Inventors: Fiona Corden, Steve Balls, Alex Pollitt, Shaun Crampton, Jonathan Harrison, Jeff Rollins
  • Patent number: 10063456
    Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. A first device is configured to snoop control packets of a predetermined control plane protocol in the network. The predetermined control plane protocol is operated by a plurality of other devices in the network to obtain Layer 2 information on the basis of known Layer 3 information. The first device does not operate the predetermined control plane protocol in the network. At the first device, in response to identifying that a given snooped packet was generated according to the predetermined control plane protocol. Layer 3 information associated with a second device in the plurality is extracted from the given snooped control plane protocol packet on the basis of known Layer 2 information associated with the second device. The second device is connected to the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD
    Inventors: Casey Davenport, Simon Wingrove, Alex Pollitt, Michael Curtis, Shaun Crampton, Steve Balls, Fiona Corden
  • Patent number: 9923799
    Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, a packet transmitted from a second device in the network is received. The received packet comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address for a third device in the network. On the basis of the IP address for the third device comprised in the received data packet, lookup in an IP routing table of the second device is initiated to obtain a next-hop address for the received packet. The obtained next-hop IP address is determined to be an IP address of a device connected to the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD.
    Inventors: Casey Davenport, Simon Wingrove, Alex Pollitt, Michael Curtis, Shaun Crampton, Steve Balls, Fiona Corden
  • Patent number: 9871717
    Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, an echo request packet is transmitted into the network. The echo request packet comprises a predetermined identifier. An echo response packet is received from a second device in the network. In response to the received echo response packet comprising the predetermined identifier, the received echo response packet is identified as a packet generated on the basis of an echo request packet originated from the first device, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address comprised in the received echo response packet is determined to be an IP address of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD
    Inventors: Casey Davenport, Simon Wingrove, Alex Pollitt, Michael Curtis, Shaun Crampton, Steve Balls, Fiona Corden
  • Publication number: 20170346348
    Abstract: An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the primary or secondary pad in response to determining that the secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the primary pad and the secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the primary pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, STEVE BALL, MARCELLUS HARPER, MICHAEL MASQUELIER, HUNTER WU
  • Publication number: 20160065696
    Abstract: Measures for transferring routing protocol information between a software defined network and one or more external networks are provided. A control node in a software defined network (SDN) is configured to maintain a protocol information database comprising routing protocol information for one or more switching nodes in the SDN. In response to detecting occurrence of a predetermined trigger event, the control node modifies the routing protocol information in the protocol information database, and determines whether the one or more switching nodes include an edge switching node. In response to the determination, a routing protocol message is transmitted from the control node to the edge switching node for forwarding via an external network interface. The routing protocol message includes data generated on the basis of the modified routing protocol information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Fiona CORDEN, Steve BALLS, Alex POLLITT, Shaun CRAMPTON, Jonathan HARRISON, Jeff ROLLINS
  • Publication number: 20150312128
    Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. A first device is configured to snoop control packets of a predetermined control plane protocol in the network. The predetermined control plane protocol is operated by a plurality of other devices in the network to obtain Layer 2 information on the basis of known Layer 3 information. The first device does not operate the predetermined control plane protocol in the network. At the first device, in response to identifying that a given snooped packet was generated according to the predetermined control plane protocol. Layer 3 information associated with a second device in the plurality is extracted from the given snooped control plane protocol packet on the basis of known Layer 2 information associated with the second device. The second device is connected to the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Metaswitch Networks Ltd
    Inventors: Casey DAVENPORT, Simon WINGROVE, Alex POLLITT, Spike CURTIS, Shaun CRAMPTON, Steve BALLS, Fiona CORDEN
  • Publication number: 20150312149
    Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, a packet transmitted from a second device in the network is received. The received packet comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address for a third device in the network. On the basis of the IP address for the third device comprised in the received data packet, lookup in an IP routing table of the second device is initiated to obtain a next-hop address for the received packet. The obtained next-hop IP address is determined to be an IP address of a device connected to the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Metaswitch Networks Ltd
    Inventors: Casey DAVENPORT, Simon WINGROVE, Alex POLLITT, Spike CURTIS, Shaun CRAMPTON, Steve BALLS, Fiona CORDEN
  • Publication number: 20150312129
    Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, an echo request packet is transmitted into the network. The echo request packet comprises a predetermined identifier. An echo response packet is received from a second device in the network. In response to the received echo response packet comprising the predetermined identifier, the received echo response packet is identified as a packet generated on the basis of an echo request packet originated from the first device, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address comprised in the received echo response packet is determined to be an IP address of the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Metaswitch Networks Ltd
    Inventors: Casey DAVENPORT, Simon WINGROVE, Alex POLLITT, Spike CURTIS, Shaun CRAMPTON, Steve BALLS, Fiona CORDEN
  • Publication number: 20070151005
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for use in the flush cistern of a water closet comprises a reservoir (13) for the liquid formulation which is fed from an inverted container (5) maintaining a constant liquid level (47) in the reservoir (13) at the mouth (37) of the container. A displacement body in the form of a piston (9), which may be magnetic, moves in a bore (56) to dispense liquid through opening (25). The piston (9) is moved by a float (11) which moves up and down as the level of water L in the cistem rises and falls on flushing. The float is coupled to the piston (9) magnetically. In another embodiment a direct mechanical coupling is used. Liquid seeps past piston (9) when in the lowered position, and is raised to overflow outlet (25) when the cistem fills. In another embodiment, liquid is dispensed on a downward stroke of the piston. The fit of piston (9) in the bore allows liquid to seep slowly past the piston to replenish the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Steve Balls, Darren Smith, Peter Virica
  • Publication number: 20060270576
    Abstract: A lavatory cleansing block has two parts co-extruded together, the first part containing a chlorine releasing bleach and the second part containing component such as a perfume or colorant which need not be bleach resistant. Migration of components is avoided if there is no common hydrophobe in the two parts. The perceived performance of the perfume is enhanced by its juxtaposition with the bleach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: JEYES GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Sidgwick, Steve Balls, Russell Norman, Brian Wilson
  • Patent number: 7056873
    Abstract: A lavatory cleansing block has two parts co-extruded together, the first part containing a chlorine releasing bleach and the second part containing component such as a perfume or colorant which need not be bleach resistant. Migration of components is avoided if there is no common hydrophobe in the two parts. The perceived performance of the perfume is enhanced by its juxtaposition with the bleach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Jeyes Group Limited
    Inventors: Ian Sidgwick, Steve Balls, Russell Norman, Brian D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20030156976
    Abstract: A cleansing block for treating water comprises from 40% to 80% by weight of a halogen release agent, from 20 to 55% by weight of a surfactant component, and from 1 to 10% by weight of a hydrophobe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: JEYES GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Steve Balls, Darren Smith, Peter Virica, Ian Sidgwick